Leading industry analysis firm, SmarTech, has just published a report on 3D printing of nanomaterials. The new report, “Emerging Opportunities for 3D Printed Nanomaterials” contains analysis of the business opportunities presented by nanopolymers and other nanocomposites, carbon nanotubes, graphene, nanodiamonds, nanostructured metals, nanometallic inks, nanoceramics, and nanobiomaterials of the next decade.According to the SmarTech, 3D-printed parts and prototypes using nanomaterials will reach $126 million by 2024, going on to reach $1.04 billion in 2028. By 2028, SmarTech expects that almost 60 percent of 3D-printed nanomaterials activity will come from the electronics and medical sector. In addition to these industries, SmarTech’s 3D-printed nanomaterials report provides coverage of 3D-printed nanomaterials in dentistry, smart textiles and soft robotics, energy storage, aerospace and automotive.During the decade-long forecasting period covered by the report, SmarTech believes that 3D printing materials will move into the mainstream of 3D printing, even on smaller machines.

This new report from SmarTech includes profiles showing how 3D-printed materials are being used today and how the market for 3D printing applications will expand the role of 3D printing generally. As part of its coverage, the report includes detailed 10-year forecasts with breakouts by parts and prototypes, end-user industry, types of printer and by the nanomaterials themselves. The report also discusses the emergence of entirely new forms of 3D printing processes that are emerging to cope at the nanoscale. These include two-photon lithography, which has been commercialized by Nanoscribe, and nanotribological printing (NTP), which is being developed at the University of Pennsylvania, among other institutions. There are also conventional 3D printing technologies that the report suggest will have a nanomaterials future, albeit with some adaptations for nanomaterials. Jetting using metal inks is now being carried out by Nano Dimension and XJet, for example, using specialized printers. Completely standard fused filament printers are expected to make a great leap forward in terms of capabilities by using nanocomposite filament with carbon nanotube filler.This new SmarTech report builds on the company’s other reports on novel 3D printing materials as well as its comprehensive studies of industry verticals. “The ability to print novel materials will become a key driver for the 3D printing/additive manufacturing as it seeks to grow out of the polymer printing era.” Lawrence Gasman, President of SmarTech and author of this study says. “Nanomaterials – more than any kind of material — bring entirely new functionality to 3D printing; notably much stronger end products, as well as adjustable levels of conductivity,” concludes Gasman.The new SmarTech report identifies around 20 firms that have developed or are marketing nanomaterial-based 3D printing materials. For now, most of these are smaller firms such as 3DXtech, Avante Technology, Formetrix, Graphene 3D Labs, Nano Dimension, Nanoscribe, Optomec and XJet. The exception to the small firm rule is also Sigma-Aldrich which is selling nanomaterials for 3D printing as part of its mission to sell small quantities of materials for R&D activities. However, SmarTech expects larger firms to take an interest in 3D printed nanomaterials in the next few years, especially after 2023 when the revenues generated by such materials reach a point where they meet the near-term investment criteria of such firms. SmarTech’s Gasman notes that there are already very small signs of the 3D printing of nanomaterials attracting interest outside of a specialist circle. He notes that HP and Henkel have invested in Copprint, which is developing a 3D-printable copper ink. In addition, the nanostructured steel company, Nanosteel, has recently spun of its 3D printing materials group and raised a Series A funding for an unspecified amount. Down the road, Gasman expects to see some of the largest 3D printer OEMs and 3D materials firms sit up and take notice of the opportunities that 3D-printed materials represent.This new SmarTech report on 3D-printed nanomaterials is divided into four chapters and an Executive Summary. The Executive Summary is intended to summarize the opportunities that we have uncovered in the main body of the report. It also identifies which companies SmarTech believes will drive 3D printing of nanomaterials going forward.Chapter Two reviews the commercialization of 3D-printed nanomaterials, while Chapter Three is devoted to the technology of 3D printing nanomaterials including the emergence of 3D printing technologies specifically designed to cope with nanomaterials. In Chapter Four SmarTech assesses all the applications in which 3D printing of nanomaterials has been claimed as advantageous. In this Chapter, SmarTech identifies some interest niches where short-term revenue generation is likely. These include tissue engineering, the 3D printing of pharmaceuticals, 3D printed graphene supercapacitors, to name but a fewThe new SmarTech report on metal service bureaus is available now for purchase at Smart Tech Publishing. For more details on this report contact Rob Nolan at rob@smartechpublishing.com. Pricing for the report starts at $4,995 It is already shipping to customers.